Changes in Dermatological Complaints Among Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey

The study involving 526 healthcare professionals in Turkey during the COVID-19 outbreak revealed an increase in dermatological complaints, especially xerosis and eczema, linked to frequent handwashing and prolonged use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves. Handwashing 10 times per day led to a 2.44 times increase in xerosis and a 3.57 times increase in eczema, while handwashing for 10 seconds or more raised the risk of eczema by 5.44 times. Acne complaints also increased fivefold with mask usage. Anxiety levels, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A), were associated with the severity of most dermatological complaints, except for hair loss and seborrheic dermatitis. Women, who had higher anxiety levels and were more likely to live with someone at high risk of COVID-19 death, were particularly affected. The study suggests that improved PPE usage, hygiene practices, and psychosocial support could mitigate these issues.